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Asst. Professor in the Library Science Department at Sam Houston State University in Huntsville, TX. Avid reader of Young Adult Lit, Book Reviews, Aspiring Author, Wife, and Owner of a dog. Email me at karinlibrarian@gmail.com.

Monday, January 11, 2010

Reese is 13 and in lockdown at a place called Progress Center. In the grand scheme of things, Reese is a good guy. He landed in juvie jail because of one bad decision. Stealing a doctor’s prescription pads and selling them to the local drug dealer seemed like an easy way to get some fast cash, but when the drug dealer is collared, he gives up Reese’s name and before he knows it, he’s serving 2 1/2 years at the Progress Center.

Reese’s behavior earns him a spot in a new work-release program. For 10 days a month he will be spending time at a local nursing home helping out wherever he can. Nervous at first, he quickly begins to look forward to the time he gets to leave jail – even though they have him working with a tough old man with racist tendencies.

The only problem is, in order to remain in the work-release program, Reese must maintain his good behavior and it isn’t as easy as just staying out of everybody’s way. Will he be able to do his time and get out when he is supposed to or will he end up like a lot of the other boys at Progress Center and end up going to prison?

LOCKDOWN lacks the intensity of Walter Dean Myers’ MONSTER, but was enjoyable and will appeal to young adult readers.